FUN FACTS

Vampire bats have fewer teeth than any other bat because they do not have to chew their food.

2.

Along with flying, vampire bats can run, jump, and hop with great speed, using their chest muscles to fling themselves skyward.

3.

Vampire bats in the same colony support their roostmates by regurgitating blood to bats that are unable to find food.

4.

Vampire bats don't suck blood. They make a small incision and lap up the blood of their hosts.

ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

Scientists recently discovered that the anticoagulant in vampire bat saliva is twenty times stronger than any other known anti-clotting agent. With more research we may find this substance can help with serious human disorders like heart attacks and strokes. They are also food for night time predators like owls. Vampire bats are considered agricultural pests in Latin America where cattle raising is taking precedence over the rain forests. Control programs have been initiated in these areas. However, millions of beneficial fruit-and insect-eating bats are also destroyed because people mistake them for vampire bats.